The Canton, Georgia, area offers sensational biking for all levels of enthusiasts at Blankets Creek Trails, thanks to a collaboration between the Southern Off Road Bike Association (SORBA), Cherokee County Recreation Authority and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
The Blankets Creek Trails include roughly 15-miles of off-road biking on eight trails, according to the website of the Woodstock Chapter of SORBA.
Hikers are asked to travel in the opposite direction of bicyclists. Bikes have the right of way.
There are eight trails included in Blankets Creek Trails:
- Dwelling Loop (4.2 miles for intermediate riders): The most popular and most ridden trail. A true contour-trail, Dwelling brings in all the elements of singletrack in our area: rocks, roots and some elevation changes. In general, this is a fast flowing XC trail that allows you to carry consistent momentum as you move from section to section, with a number of log crossings and tight tree gates. Directional. Go clockwise on Sunday, Monday, Wednesday & Friday, please. On Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, please ride clockwise.
- Kervorkian Pass (.5 mile for advanced riders): Kervorkian? Really? Directional. Go clockwise on Sunday, Monday, Wednesday & Friday, please. On Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, please ride clockwise.
- Mosquito Bite (.7 miles for beginners) Mosquito Bite provides beginners a bit of a challenge. There is a winding boardwalk, three elevated bridges, a switchback turn and some small, short hills. Directional. Go clockwise on Sunday, Monday, Wednesday & Friday, please. On Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, please ride clockwise.
- Mosquito Flats (1.375 miles for beginners): This is a learning trail for children and beginners, so please watch your speed. Bi-directional every day of the week.
- Mosquito Flats Extension (.5 mile for beginners): The recently cut Mosquito Flats Extension is now being ridden-in and adds an additional half-mile option to Mosquito Flats. Although it is flat, it does have a few more bridges and is a little more technical to navigate with some tighter turns and a rougher tread. Bi-directional every day of the week.
- Quehl Holler (.25 mile for experts): This brand-new flow trail is 755-feet long, all one-way downhill on hard-packed, smooth Georgia red clay. We advise you to scout this trail carefully prior to committing yourself to a full-bore run. Use full-face helmets and armor to wring out the best from this expert-level trail.
- South Loop (4 miles for advanced riders): South Loop is our hand-cut, technical trail that brings a real backcountry feel to Blankets Creek. We do as little maintenance as possible to this trail to keep a natural feeling. Climbs are longer and steeper than those on the Dwelling Loop, but the real story is the rock gardens, rock crossings, rocky switchbacks, creek crossings and a log ride. Directional. Go clockwise on Sunday, Monday, Wednesday & Friday, please. On Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, please ride clockwise.
- Van Michael Loop (3.9 miles for advanced riders): This machine-cut trail is relatively smooth but sweeps up and down several peaks. Switchback and berm turns abound and a good speed can be maintained. There is a really nice log ride carved out of a single fallen tree. If you’re from the “you have to go up to get down” school, this is your trail. Directional. Go clockwise on Sunday, Monday, Wednesday & Friday, please. On Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, please ride clockwise.
Helmets are required.
For information visit SORBA’s Blankets Creek Web site or call the trail hotline at 678-568-1508.
Directions
From Atlanta, take I-75 North to I-575 North. Take Exit 11, Sixes Road. Turn left and go west. Continue for about 1.8 miles. Look for the signs on the left for The Blankets Creek trail head.